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The President also announced the appointment of Vyacheslav Volodin Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Commission for Modernisation and Technological Development of Russia’s Economy.

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President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Volodin, Mr Sobyanin took office as Moscow Mayor today, after I relieved him of his duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Government Chief of Staff.

The Government has nominated you to fill this position, the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Government Chief of Staff. I have known you for quite a long time, I know your ability to work hard, and I am inclined to agree with the Government’s proposal. I do not do it because I know you as a successful party leader, although that certainly is an excellent feature on your CV. I do it for different reasons: I know that you are capable of organising work, and that is entirely due to your business skills and has nothing to do with party affiliation.

Recently, we have been meeting quite often for consultations on various staffing proposals. Now you will have to concentrate on completely different issues. You will be in charge of the very complex, very important and fairly routine work which is the responsibility of the Government Executive Office, and as a former member of the Government myself, I understand the importance of the Executive Office. I think you will discuss this with the Prime Minister later today.

I would like the Deputy Prime Minister and Government Chief of Staff to take on some other responsibilities apart from this important and difficult routine, some duties that in the past were performed by Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin. He was also Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Modernisation [and Technological Development of Russia’s Economy], which was important to coordinate the efforts of the Government and the Presidential Executive Office.

I know you as a man of modern views. I would like you to continue working as Deputy Prime Minister and become a member of this commission as my deputy.

We often meet and make important decisions, which are then executed by the Government and regional authorities. What is needed here is an organisational basis provided by the Government of the Russian Federation. This is an extra burden that I would like to place on you. Any objections?

Deputy Speaker of The State Duma and Secretary OF UNITED RUSSIA'S GENERAL COUNCIL PRESIDIUM VYACHESLAV VOLODIN: None, Mr President. I will try to justify your confidence in me. I understand that I will have to restructure my work, considering that my previous duties were mostly political. Now I will have to address issues that are the responsibility of the executive branch and do everything to make sure that your decisions are implemented.

Dmitry Medvedev: Good. I will just sign the executive order and you will become Deputy Prime Minister. Congratulations.

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